Classic Truck Trends - Game Changer - Number 7

Old Guys Rule

If you’re over 50 years old, you not only qualify for an AARP card, but you should remember the Van era of the ’60s and ’70s. Vans were a major trend and lifestyle during the teenage years of the baby boomer generation. For some vanners, it became a lifelong addiction. The van scene maintained its perpetual motion over the years in the Midwest, Northeast, and Canada. Unfortunately, van trends have seemed to be stuck in neutral for decades, appearing like they did 40+ years ago. Many of the current vans seem to have been in a time warp state. This year’s 39th National Truck-In van gathering will be held in Old Washington, Ohio, July 13-17, 2011. More than 500 vans will migrate to the Guemsey County Fairgrounds from all across the United States and Canada. Checkout Vanners.com website. Can you believe this is the 50th anniversary of the Ford Econoline van?

Colby Gewertz from Redondo Beach, California, debuted his wild ’63 Ford Econoline (VanGo) at this year’s Grand National Roadster Show at the Fairplex in Pomona, California, shuffled in with the hundreds of the most beautiful roadsters, hot rods, customs and muscle cars on the planet. Needless to say, VanGo rocked the show, receiving the prestigious Chip Foose Design Award. Coby had the vision, but Kevin Francis from KA Customs, in Huntington Beach, California, was the mastermind behind creating this toaster masterpiece. The flawless custom paint was sprayed by Tim Conder at Conder Customs, in Sonoma, California, while, Pablo Perez was responsible for the incredible wooden interior.

Yesterday’s vans, with their shag carpet interiors and timeless exterior graphics have resurfaced with a newstalgic modern-day appearance and stance that is attracting the younger enthusiasts and kick-starting a new custom vanning trend.